Rapid-fire gun.



PATENTBD JULY 18, 190s.

e allunga-SHEET 1,

.27e vefei.

u \Hf/ f N aneszseszn P PBNTBD JULY 18, 1905.

G. M. CLARKE.

Invezzw:

RAFID FIRE GUN.

. um. Nm. wn. n@ hn. hh.

LPPL'LUATIGN 11.21) Nov. 28.1903. Y

PATENTED JULY 18, 1905.

' C. N. GLARKE. RPIB FIRE GUN. Arrmurnon rxLmJ m1251503.

6 SHEETS-81135133.

i.. @Mw

PATENTBD JULY 1B, 1905.

o. M. CLARKE. RAPID Hm: GUN. APPLITION P1 LED NOV. 28,1903.

E SHBETSHSH EET 4,

Wzzsses.-

PATENTE!) JLY 1B, WD5.

o. M. ULABKE. RAPID HRB GUN.

V1, VII Vil, and VIII Vlli of Fig.

packing-rings.

UNTTTLD STnTne Patented July 18, 1905.

FIAPlD-FiFiE GUN.

SPEGIFIUKTION forming part of Letters Patent No. 794,852, dated July 18,1905.

Application liletl November 28,1903. Serial No. 182,067. l

To all whom. it muy conc/ern.:

.Bc it known that ,V (Jnnnmcs M. Ummm. a

. citizen ol' the United States, residing et Pitteis a similar viewshowing the actuator in its forward position. a cartridge having beenfired and also projected from the beit into the revolving chamheredbreech. Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 are cross-sections on the lines V V, VlFig'. 9 isan enlarged sectional detail view showing a packing deviceinserted` boing the revolving chnmbered breech and the barrel. Fig. 10is a partial end View of the rcvoivng' chambercd breech on the line X Xof Fig. 9, showing the pecking-rings. Fig. 11 is an isometric-detailView of one of. the spring Fig. 12 is a plan view ol" the actuator,detached, in engagement with the revolving chamber-cd breech andbelt-fend slide. Fig. 13 is n longitudinal sectional dcteil vien' on'the .diagonal line Xlll XIII of Fig. "i, showing the e|rmty-sheilextractor' in action. Fig. 14 isasimilar view als-right ren- ,lci toFig. 13. showing Ihe extractor :in having engaged the flange of theShell and about to withdraw it, when the extractor-harris inimcdintclyreleased hnclrwardly by the continned forward travel of the actuator.Fig. 15 is a similar sectional view also nt right angies to Fig. I3.showing thc extrac'towbnr as having heen thrown haci: to the iimit ofitetrarel and the actuator having followed, the springlatch having againconnected these parte, so that the bnr will be again carried forward bythe actuator. Fig. 16 is a similar detail View showing; the extractorbarreleased from connevtion with the nctnetor and just. about to.

more imckwardly under the imnelling povor tienlarly to the mechanism forremoving the cartridges ,f rom the belt into the revolving breech, therevolving breech itself and means for intermittently actuating it, thepeeking devices, the iringqain, the extractor, and the actuator hy whichthemcchanisln is operated at each discharge. I

Referring to the drawings, 2 is the barrel,

secured at its inner end in the case 3, extend.

ing {erwin-diy through the interior' of waterjackct et and projectingoutwardly throdghthe end thereof. A gcsmortcommunicctos with the here ofthe barrel and with a piston-chamber, whereby at each discharge aportion of the ges will propel the piston 'lend actuator 8 haeirwnrdly..The actuator is-hclcl hack or reionscd hy trigger 9 engaging lug 10 andis innieilcd forwardly by a power-spring 11. The hclt 12 is fed thron htho gun by a paw] '13, mounted in fecd-slii e I4, actuated transverselyh v cam portieri i5 of the actuator, the belt being retained hy iowerYpewl I6.

The foregoing elements of the gun do not 7m' c form any part of mypresent invention and ere similar in their construction and Inode ofoperation to silniar parte forming part of the snhjcct-matter of LettersPatent of the United Steben of V. l. Dcinight, No.79,883. lotntablymounted in the caso on pin 17 immediately back of the barrel is therevolving breech 18, provided with a series of cartridgechnmliers 19,one of which chambers is adapted et nach stationery position of thebreech to aiinc with the centrally-disposed cartridge in the belt aboveand another at the saaie time with the barrel below. The breech 18 isintcrmitben tly rotated one space-. c. the distance between adjacentchain bcrsby a.

IOC

pnwl 20,n1ountnd in a ring or carrier 21, provided with a roller o'rabutment 22 in engagement with cam-groove .33 of the actuator, the pawlengagingieeth .34 of the breech successively. The cartridges areinserted in the uppermost chamber of the revolving breech at eachoperation by a thrust-pin 25, reci procatingly mounted in thebackportion of the actuator, terminating in a cylindrical forwar to push itthrough the belt inlo the chamber, the cartridge-[lange being of thesame iunlel-er as the bodgr of the lund known as rimless.

The shank of the thrust-pin is preferably square or splincd, and it isprovided at its bach end 'with a button or head 27, adapted to como onbackward travel into limiting contact with the inner face of grip-block28 or other suitable abutting face. ',lhc thrust-pin 25 is provided witha spring-latch 29, by which it is carried forward bythe actuator untilraised out o'f engagement by a wedge or movable bearing 30 upon cominginto contact with cumfnce. 3l at about four-lifths of the forwardstroke. Any other suitable means may be employed for disconnecting thethrust-pin and actuator at the proper time. A aprirner 32 is insertedbetween the back end of the actuator and head 27,- hy which thethrust-pin is quickbr thrown back upon release of latch 29 andimmedintcly after thc cartridge has been thrust out of the beltforwardly into the breechchamber, thus preventing interference with thepin upon rotation of tlie breech by the 'immediate backward travel ofthe actuator vafter discharge. By this construction the. thrust-pin isthrown hack by spring 32 before the actuator commences its buck travel,and when it travels hack it will compress spring 32 and canse latch 29to become reloclied, ready for the next forward engagement. The

firing-pin 33 is arranged in alinement with the barrel and lowermostcartridge-chamber, und consequently with the rimer of thecartrirlgctherein. It is norma Lv held retracted by n. spring 34, bearing againsthead 3:5, its back- ,wnrd movement being limited by o. pin 36, cx-

tcndi'ng into slot 37. The cartridge is lircd by adownward extension 38of the actuator striking the firing-pin head at the limit of its forwardtravel. The empty cartridge-shell is extracted from the chamberA at thencxtposition of rotation-beyond the firing position b5 means of u.reciprocating extractor-bar 39, likewise mount-ed in the back portion ofthe actuator to one side of its center to conform to theposition of theshell, andis provided at its forward end with aspring-controlled linger4l), adapted to engage the Hang'c of the shell and to withdraw it fromthe chamber. The

'shank of the extractor-bar is also preferably squareor splincd, and itis provided at' 'lbs back end with a button or bead 41, adapted to comeinto limiting contact with thc inncr face of grip-block 28 or othersuitable abutment. with a pivotedsp1'ing;latcli42, having a bevelface43, by which the extractor-bar is carried forward by the actuator untilits forward end comes into contact with the shell, when the bevel-lace43 of the latch will rido up on the corresponding bevel cam-face 44 ofthe actuator when the extractor-bar and shell will tip .26 adapted toengage the cartridge and` be ulclrly thrown back by means of aspring 45,inserted between the baci: end of the actuator and a head or button 41of the extractor-piu. Bythis construction the extractorbar is thrownback before the actuator has `completed its forward travel in the sainemanner ns the thrust-bar, thus withdrawing the iernpty shell before therevolving breech is rotated Vby back action of the actuator andpreventing interference.

A disengagiugor cjc'cting bar -46 is slidingly mounted in a slideway 47in one side of thev extractor-bar and of slightly greater length thanthobnr, so that upon first coming 'into'contuct with the inner fwce of .thegri pblock 28 the forward end of the rejecting-bar will strike tho sideof the .head of thesholl and-throw it around and away from engagement,as shown in Fig. ,13.

For the purpose of insuring thc complete insertion of the cartridges inthe chamber of the breech I have provided u. spiral cam-face 48,corresponding to the path of travel of the cartridge and which willfinally force the cartridge home before or upon reaching the firingposition should the impetus of thrustba 26.nt be sucicnt to send itl1oxnc.`

For tbe-purpose of preventing unnecessary movement of the rotatingbreech and of insui-ing its accurate stoppage at pro er position 1 haveprovided a'spring 49, a apted to engagcdepressons or notches 50 in theperiphery of th breecli corresponding in position to thecartridge-chambers. The actuator is provided with the usual pull-bar 51,ex.- tending` out to ne side, by which thc gun may be set by hand.'

For the purpose of packing or sealing the gases of explosion between therevolving reecli 18 and the barrel 2, if necessary, I, prefer to providepacking device of am, suitable character and have shown' in Figs. 9, 10,and l1 a spring-washer 52, having rcsilient portions 53, either integralor attached( adapted to be seated in a corresponding' recess 54 in thefront face of the breech, surrounding thc exit-terminal of cachcartridgechamber. 1f preferred, thc packing may be inserted in thebarrel or in both breech and barrel` and by thus making n. closecontacting lit it will be secn thatn. tight seal will always be yprovided to compensato for wear, thus preventing leakage o A gas at thetime of explosion in the caso o each chamber.4 Other 'effective meansmay be substituted for the same purpose, if desired.

Theextractor-har is provided iVhile the primary function of Springs 32und 45 is to throw thc thruslrhnr und cxtrnctor buck quickly before thebelt und rerolrin;r breech commence to move, so us to preventinterference, they will :also assist the nlninepring in in'lpelling theactuator forwnrdly.

In constructing'thc gun the n'nteriockct muy be entirelif dispensedwith, and it will he understood that the nlunher of chambers in therevolving breech only he varied as dc- Sired--/f. e., either more orless thun eight, ns shown, und that vnrious other changes ormodifications muy h'e runde hy the skilled mechanic within thc scope ofthe clniins.

'lhc operation is es follows: A heit of ocrtriflg'cs is introducedacross the gun :unl cngnifcd h the fccding-pnwl. .l`hc actuator iswithdrawn by hund und nmniiuilutoil until a. snllicicnt number ofcartridges have been thrust into the revolving breech, which is per--tinllv refuted et euch operation, so es to bring tho lirst mtrtridgcaround to the lowerrnost position. the trigger, thrusting nnothercartridge fr ihm the holt into the upper lwceclrchmnhcr, tiring thelowermostcartridge, and n pzu'tof the ger crateri gus, acting throughthc-by{ m$s port, will actuele the piston nud actuator, throwing ithack. 1n the back travel the breech ie revolved one opaco, the heit isfed forward, bringing the next cartridge into alinerncut with thethruslfhnr nhdclutuiber, and the Shoil of the exploded cartridge isextracted and thro wu outwardly from the gun. if the trigger .hns beenreleased, the actuator will heeome locked h v it, ready for anotheroperotion, or if the trigger is continuously depressed the actuator willimmediately be thrown forward by the power-spring und firing willcontinue until the anununition of the holt is exhausted.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- 1. ln u' rapid-lire gun,the combination of a revolving chumbercd breech, e cartridge-carryingbelt, meu-ns for rotating the breech and feeding the belt, und means forthrusting the cartridges into the breech, substantially as sot forth.

2. In ii rapid-lire gun, the combination of u revolvixn,r clunnhcrcdbreech. n cartridge-carrying bolt, menus: for rotating the breech andfeeding the hell., und ineens for thrusting the cartridges into thcbreech and firing them therein, Substantially as set forth.

'3. In u. rn pid-lire gun, the combination of o. revolving chmnhercdbreech, a cnrtridgccnrvying: belt, menus for rotating the breech andFeeding the heit, menus for thrusting the curtridges into the lneoeh,and firing thorn there in, rnd menus for extrftctingthe empty shellstherefrom, sinhstnntinlly :is set forth.

L in n rapid-lire gun` thc combination of n. revolving chnlubercclbrocoli, o. barrel, a car- 'lhc actuator is then released h v'tridgeonrying holt, menus for rouling the breech end feeding the hell.,und menne for tlu'ustingthe'eortridges into the. hrcoch, liriupV themtherein wher. in nlineinentwil-h the hnrrcl, nml for extracting theempty shells, substontinlhr es set forth.

. 5. le n rapid-lire' gun, the cornhinuticu oi u. mein cose, a.revolving chamber-ed breech, e borrel, signs-portanoinunicztting withthe hurrel, a curtx'idg'e-cmrying bel t, :m actuator 'nrovided `with npiston adapted to he operated on h v the ,ons passino through thegas-port, and provided with means for rotating the breech und feedingthe belt; und n thrustfhur, a iring-pin and un extractor uctuntcd hy theuctuutor, with ineens for impelling the actuetor forwardly,substantially als set forth.

C. In ampid-lireg'un, the combination of n mitin case, a. revolving'chmubored breech, a barrel, n gus-port connnun icatiug with the bnrrel,n. cartridge-carrying holt, on actuator provided with n. piston adaptedto he operated on by the grua passing through the gus-port, and providedwith ineens for rotating the breech und feeding; the belt; and nthrust-har, o. liring-pin and an extractor actuated by the 8.otuntor,with moans for impelling the actuator forwardly, und u releasing-wig eradopted to engage the uctuanior` substantial yas set forth.

7. In a rapid-lire gun, en actuator provided with a thrust-har, andmeans for discngagng the thrust-bnr und 'retreating it independent ofthe backward movement of the actuator, substantially as sot forth.

8. In a rapid-fi re gen, an actuator provided with un extractor, andmeans for disengnging the extractor :rnd retrccting it independent ofthe backward movement of the' actuator, substantially as set forth.

9. 1n n rapid-fire gun, an actuator provided n105 with en extractor :mdcjecting-bcr, and means for disengaging the extractor and retrncting itindependent of the backward movement 0.- the actuator, substantially asset forth.

l0. In a rapid-fire gun, the combination with an actuator, of athrust-bar provided with a. latch, a com for dsenguging the hitch beforethe actuator has mede its full forward travel` und a. spring forretracting the thrust-bar, sub- .strlntinlly as set forth.

11. In u rapidlire gun, the combination with nu actuator, of nuextractor' provided with o. latch, n com for discltgngiinp,F the latchbefore the actuator has made its full forward ti'nvel, and n. s )ringfor rctracting the cxtrctor, substantially as set forth.

12. lnurepifl-liregun, thecoinhinntion with i nn ctuntor, of onextractor provided with on ejecting-hnr, and a hitch, r. com for disongagiug the latch before' the nctuntorhaslnedeilc', full forwardtravel, und a spring for rel-moting the extracten', substantially as setforth.

13. [nnrnpirhregum thecomhinnlicn with :1 barrel, :nid n revolvingcluunhercd breech, of resilient means for packing the meeting extremites of the chambers and barrel, substantially as selforth.

LL. 'Inurnpid-iregnn, thecombiimhon wibh u hurl-el, of n, revolvingchnrubered breech provided with reslieng, packing-bearings insex-ted inthe face of the breech, substantially :1s Set forth.

15. 1n n rapid-liregun, t,1|eco'n\hin ation with n lim-rel, of arevolving chumbered breech provided with reilient packing-washers in- IOserted in suitable cavities around the terminals of the chambers,substantially as seL forth.

1n testimony whereof lullx my signature in presence of bwq witnesses.

CHARLES M. CLARKE. Witnesses J. F. MCKENNA,

E. V. MAClCicNzuc.

